Storm Damage Boarding Up in Dartford (DA) — Make Safe After Wind, Debris & Rain
Storm damage is stressful because it rarely happens at a “convenient” time. A sudden gust can take out a pane, lift flashing, or blow a gate into glazing—leaving your home, shop, or site exposed to weather and opportunistic entry.
If you need storm damage boarding in Dartford or across the DA postcodes, we can attend to make safe, secure the property, and help you stabilise the situation until permanent repairs are arranged.
Need urgent help? Call 01322 952 450
Or email photos/details to info@boarding-up-dartford.co.uk
When storm damage usually happens (and what we see in DA postcodes)
In Dartford and the wider DA area, storm call-outs often follow periods of high winds and heavy rain. Common reasons people contact us include:
- A smashed window from flying debris (tiles, branches, loose signage, fence panels)
- Cracked glazing that’s “hanging on” but could fail completely overnight
- A door that won’t close after frames swell or shift, or the lock area is damaged
- Shopfront glazing damaged by wind-blown objects or impacts
- Roof openings (missing tiles/slates, exposed felt, broken skylight domes) allowing rain in
- Outbuildings/garages with broken windows or doors after impacts
- Vacant properties taking the brunt of weather without anyone on site to notice quickly
The main risk isn’t just water. Once an opening is exposed, it can quickly turn into a security problem—especially if the property will be unattended.
For urgent situations, see: emergency boarding up
First steps after storm damage (before we arrive)
If it’s safe, a few practical steps can reduce risk and help your insurer later:
- Stay clear of loose glass and unstable frames. Don’t try to pull shards out.
- Keep people and pets away from the damaged area.
- Take photos (wide shot + close-ups) if you can do so safely—before anything is moved.
- If water is entering, place towels/buckets where possible and move valuables away from the leak path.
- Avoid temporary DIY boarding from the outside if it requires ladders or leaning into openings—storm conditions and wet ground are risky.
When you call us, we’ll ask a few questions to decide the safest way to board up a broken window or secure the entry point.
Our storm damage make-safe service: what we do
Our job is to stabilise the situation quickly and professionally: secure property, reduce further weather ingress where feasible, and leave the building safe until the permanent repairs (glazier/roofer/joiner) take over.
What “make safe” typically includes
Depending on the damage, we may:
- Board up broken window openings using correctly sized sheet material and safe fixing methods
- Board up a door if the lock/edge/frame is compromised and can’t be secured normally
- Secure damaged shopfronts and larger glazed panels in a way that discourages tampering
- Carry out temporary boarding for vulnerable points (rear doors, side windows, alley-access openings)
- Provide a practical handover for you/your insurer: photos and paperwork (see below)
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. We won’t pretend there’s a “perfect” solution if the surrounding structure is compromised—our aim is the safest, most secure temporary outcome.
For the specific solutions, see:
Materials & methods (and why they matter after storms)
Storm-damaged openings are often irregular—frames can twist, sashes split, or glazing can fail in sections. We choose materials based on security, strength, and the shape of the opening.
Sheet materials we commonly use
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most windows/doors where strong, stable protection is needed
- 12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller openings or short-term internal boarding in lower-risk locations
We’ll talk you through what we’re fitting and why, especially if the property is likely to be unattended.
Fixing methods and security detail
We aim for secure, anti-tamper results:
- Anti-tamper fixings where appropriate to reduce the chance of removal from outside
- Fixing strategies that protect remaining frame integrity where possible
- Practical considerations like ventilation and access (for example, if you need to re-enter for essential items)
If the opening is high-level or access is difficult (rear extensions, flats, tight side access), we plan the safest approach on arrival.
Flats, houses, shops & sites: storm damage looks different by property type
Storm damage isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is the make-safe approach.
Residential homes (terraces, semis, maisonettes, flats)
- We commonly see smashed window panes on ground floors and vulnerable side returns
- Upper floors may require safer access planning and may limit certain methods
- We prioritise securing bedrooms and living spaces to restore privacy and safety
Learn more about domestic work: residential boarding up
Commercial property (shops, offices, restaurants)
- Storm damage to front glazing can leave you exposed on a busy street
- We can arrange shopfront boarded up solutions that focus on security and clear site control
- We’ll work around your opening hours and building access where possible (including out of hours attendance)
More on business sites: commercial boarding up
Vacant or void properties
- These are high-risk after storms because damage may go unnoticed
- We can discuss stronger, medium-term options if repeated incidents are likely
See: vacant property boarding up
What happens when you call (realistic, practical process)
We keep this simple—because you’ve already got enough to deal with.
-
Call and tell us what’s happened
We’ll ask the basics: address/postcode (DA1–DA18), what’s damaged (window/door/roof), whether it’s safe to access, and whether the property will be empty. -
We give a realistic ETA and confirm the plan
We don’t promise fixed arrival times—conditions and workload vary in bad weather. We prioritise urgent calls and will tell you what we can realistically do. -
We attend, make safe, and document the work
We board up, secure, and leave you with the documentation many insurers ask for.
For urgent attendance: emergency boarding up
Insurance-friendly documentation (without pretending to be loss adjusters)
After storm damage, insurers usually want evidence that you acted promptly to prevent further loss. We can help by providing:
- Time-stamped photos of the opening and the completed boarding
- Itemised invoice describing labour and materials used
- Work statement (what was secured, how, and why)
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we’ve been trading for 10+ years and know what documentation is typically helpful.
More guidance here: insurance claims support
Typical storm damage scenarios (what we can do)
We won’t claim these are your exact circumstances, but they’re common patterns in the DA area:
- Wind-blown debris hits a window at night → we attend to board up broken window openings and reduce risk of entry
- A door is forced open by wind and damages the lock edge → we can board up door openings or discuss temporary door security depending on the damage
- A shopfront panel cracks and becomes unsafe → we provide shopfront boarded up solutions to secure the premises until glazing contractors replace it
- A skylight or roof opening lets rain in → we can carry out temporary boarding / roof covering measures where safe access allows
If you’re unsure which service fits, call and we’ll guide you.
Why people choose us after storm damage
- Local coverage across Dartford and DA1–DA18
- DBS-checked technicians (important when working at homes, tenanted sites, and managed blocks)
- Fully insured
- 10+ years trading
- Clear, practical communication—especially when you’re dealing with stress and disruption
If the situation needs additional trades (glazing replacement, roofing repairs, lock replacement), we’ll explain what we’ve done and what should happen next.
Areas we cover for storm damage boarding
We cover Dartford and the wider DA postcode area, including:
- DA1, DA2, DA3, DA4, DA5, DA6, DA7, DA8, DA9
- DA10, DA11, DA12, DA13, DA14, DA15, DA16, DA17, DA18
You can also browse locations here: areas we cover or start with boarding up in Dartford
FAQs — Storm damage boarding up in Dartford (DA)
Can you board up my window tonight after storm damage?
Yes—if you need urgent help, call us and we’ll advise on the next steps. We offer emergency boarding up and prioritise insecure properties. We’ll give you a realistic ETA based on conditions.
What if the window isn’t fully broken, just cracked?
Cracked glazing can fail without warning, especially in wind or temperature changes. If the pane is unstable or the property will be unattended, it may still be sensible to secure property with temporary boarding. Call and we’ll talk through risk and options.
Can you make safe a damaged door as well as windows?
Yes. If the lock area, hinges, or frame is compromised, we can board up a door or recommend a more appropriate temporary solution depending on the damage. See door boarding up.
Do you handle roof openings or broken skylights after storms?
We can help with certain roof and skylight openings where safe access is possible and the aim is temporary protection/security. See roof & skylight boarding. If conditions make access unsafe, we’ll be honest and discuss alternatives.
Is storm damage boarding covered by insurance?
Often, insurers cover reasonable emergency measures to prevent further damage, but policies vary. Keep photos, claim notes, and any reference numbers. We can provide documentation to support your claim—see insurance claims support.
I’m a landlord—can you secure the property for my tenants?
Yes. Landlords and agents regularly arrange emergency boarding up to keep occupants safe and prevent further loss. If you can share access details and a contact on site, it helps the process.
Do you give fixed prices over the phone?
We can often give guidance, but we avoid “blind” fixed pricing because openings, access, and damage severity vary. For transparency, we’ll explain the cost factors and provide an itemised invoice after the work. See pricing information.
Will boarding up stop rain getting in completely?
Boarding up is primarily about safety and security. We’ll do what we reasonably can to reduce weather ingress around openings, but storm-driven rain can be unpredictable—especially with damaged frames or roof coverings.
How long can the boarding stay in place?
Temporary boarding can remain in place while you arrange permanent repairs, but the ideal duration depends on exposure, security risk, and your insurer/contractor timelines. For longer-term vacant properties, we may discuss more robust solutions—see vacant property boarding up.
Need storm damage boarding up now?
If you’ve had wind or debris damage and need to make safe quickly, we’re here to help across Dartford and the DA postcodes.
Need help now? Call 01322 952 450 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? Send details/photos to info@boarding-up-dartford.co.uk
